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Facing a tough re-election campaign, Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Wednesday touted the endorsement of a man he once criticized: former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.

When he first ran for the office in 2009, Trutanich knocked his predecessor for settling too many lawsuits against the city for too much money. Trutanich also said he’d bring more “professionalism” to the job. Outside City Hall Wednesday, with Delgadillo by his side, the city attorney sounded a different note.

“Rocky was a good city attorney,” Trutanich said. “I’m proud to have him standing with me.” Delgadillo added: "Different leaders have different priorities.”

Trutanich faces a stiff challenge from former State Assemblyman Mike Feuer in his bid for a second four-year term. Delgadillo defeated Feuer for city attorney in 2001.

“I think for Mike Feuer, it’s about politics and getting elected,” Delgadillo said. “Trutanich is not going to put his finger in the air and test the political winds before he makes a decision.”

The Feuer campaign shot back in a statement:

"Trutanich's hypocrisy knows no bounds. He disavowed his support of Delgadillo and didn't want his endorsement when he first ran for City Attorney because he considered Rocky a failure who didn't know how to run the office. Seems like they are a perfect couple.”

The race for city attorney has become one of the nastiest in recent memory in Los Angeles. Trutanich has called Feuer a liar and unfit for the office. Feuer has called Trutanich a liar and failure. Both accuse each other of campaign ethics violations.

A USC/Los Angeles Times poll conducted last month found 37 percent of likely voters favored Feuer, compared to 26 percent who preferred Trutanich. 38 percent of likely voters were undecided.

Previously in Represent!

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